Organizers adopted a superhero theme and added two new elements—a sponsor reception and live auction—to the 38th annual Big Night Out gala in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto, held Thursday at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. "We wanted to do something different, and we wanted the opportunity to celebrate our corporate partners," BBBST president Cathy Denyer said of why they added the V.I.P. reception for sponsors.
The organization invited Jim Leech, president and C.E.O. of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, to address representatives from sponsors like Metropolitan Hotels, BMO Financial, KPMG, Great West Life, London Life, Canada Life, National Bank, Blackmont Capital, Peller Estates, Molson, Coca-Cola, Global, ET Canada, and The Toronto Sun.
As for this year's theme, Denyer said, "It just represents so much the everyday heroes that our bigs are, and we just thought it was so appropriate to celebrate their achievements and the achievements of our littles." (BBBST refers to its volunteer mentors as "bigs" and the children as "littles.") "This is such a celebration of our volunteers and our children," Denyer added, noting that funds raised at the event will support mentoring programs and help to reduce the list of 365 youngsters waiting to be matched with a big brother or sister.
Evidence of the superhero theme could be spotted on the table centrepieces—custom made by Solutions With Impact, which handled the decor and event management—and in the costumes worn by models from Champagne Showgirls. The menu also featured courses named after five superheroes, including a vegetarian option called the Green Hornet—a fire-roasted red pepper, chickpea, and eggplant terrine served with quinoa, goat cheese, and arugula pesto.
The event, which drew 500 guests, also featured a live auction for the first time. The seven items up for bid included a Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar signed by Tom Cochrane, a V.I.P. experience at a Blue Jays game, a one-hour flight in an L-39 Albatross fighter jet, and a trip for two to Vancouver. Rick Campanelli and Kim D'Eon of ET Canada hosted the evening. Entertainment included performances by Juno Award winner Jully Black, Suzie McNeil, Wade O. Brown, Rex Goudie, Sharon Riley, and Faith Chorale.
The organization invited Jim Leech, president and C.E.O. of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, to address representatives from sponsors like Metropolitan Hotels, BMO Financial, KPMG, Great West Life, London Life, Canada Life, National Bank, Blackmont Capital, Peller Estates, Molson, Coca-Cola, Global, ET Canada, and The Toronto Sun.
As for this year's theme, Denyer said, "It just represents so much the everyday heroes that our bigs are, and we just thought it was so appropriate to celebrate their achievements and the achievements of our littles." (BBBST refers to its volunteer mentors as "bigs" and the children as "littles.") "This is such a celebration of our volunteers and our children," Denyer added, noting that funds raised at the event will support mentoring programs and help to reduce the list of 365 youngsters waiting to be matched with a big brother or sister.
Evidence of the superhero theme could be spotted on the table centrepieces—custom made by Solutions With Impact, which handled the decor and event management—and in the costumes worn by models from Champagne Showgirls. The menu also featured courses named after five superheroes, including a vegetarian option called the Green Hornet—a fire-roasted red pepper, chickpea, and eggplant terrine served with quinoa, goat cheese, and arugula pesto.
The event, which drew 500 guests, also featured a live auction for the first time. The seven items up for bid included a Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar signed by Tom Cochrane, a V.I.P. experience at a Blue Jays game, a one-hour flight in an L-39 Albatross fighter jet, and a trip for two to Vancouver. Rick Campanelli and Kim D'Eon of ET Canada hosted the evening. Entertainment included performances by Juno Award winner Jully Black, Suzie McNeil, Wade O. Brown, Rex Goudie, Sharon Riley, and Faith Chorale.
The silent-auction room
Photo: BizBash
The bar in the silent-auction room surrounded a large spandex structure, courtesy of Solutions With Impact.
Photo: BizBash
Red linens from Around the Table and cream chair covers from Micki's dressed the dining tables, which featured a box of popcorn at each place setting.
Photo: BizBash
Red balloons hung from the ceiling in the Artifacts Room where the Silent Auction Company staged a silent auction.
Photo: BizBash
Custom centrepieces featured plexiglass boxes with original images of superheroes.
Photo: BizBash
Solutions With Impact dressed the main dining room in red and cream.
Photo: BizBash
A model—one of eight from Champagne Showgirls—dressed as a superhero named the Silver Raven.
Photo: BizBash
Guests had the opportunity to purchase a superhero comic book for the chance to win five prizes, including a VIA rail trip to Quebec City.
Photo: BizBash
